Sheep Are Like Cats

Vello comes on, in a hurry.

We'll now have a short Q and A, says Vello. 

What happened at the back there? shouts someone.

Are the sheep okay? calls someone else.

One at a time, please, says Vello. A slight mishap with the pulley. No blame attaches to Bunnings.

But wasn't it their pulley? asks the first someone.

Yes it was, but something got caught in it, says Vello. Next question?

Sheep? repeats the second someone.

Sheep are like cats, says Vello. They always fall on their feet.

But they were children! says the second someone.

One of them was, says Vello. And he goes to Theatre Bugs and has learnt how to fall correctly.

He means Hedley, whispers a friend of Hedley's mother.

The row of friends of Hedley's mother nod at one another.

Theatre Bugs is well worth the money.

What was the other one? asks the second someone.

You could see what he was, says Vello. Next question! 

He looked like he was made of cement, says a third person. 

That is a speculative statement, says Vello. But I shall answer. Young Terence is made of cement. That is why it didn't matter when his toe went missing.

Did he find it? asks the third person.

Henceforth I shall only be taking questions about the play, says Vello. Preferably of an intellectual nature.

Why did you choose this particular excerpt? asks someone.

I didn't choose it myself, says Vello. But it's a good question. I left the choice to Arthur, the young man who played the part of the king.

Was it because he wanted to play the part of the king? asks the same person.

One might assume so, says Vello. But in fact, he chose the excerpt at random.

Did you have second thoughts when you realised the excerpt he chose was lacking in action? continues the person.

Not at all, says Vello. One can always make something of anything. 

A soft whistle is heard from back stage.

The cast will now come on and take a bow, says Vello. 

Gaius bounces on, looking less old mannish.

Applause!

Belle and Hedley's mother, in their lovely court dresses.

Applause!

Arthur in his glittery costume, bowing Spanish-style.

Loud applause!

Sweezus and David, swirling  their blue feather cloaks.

More loud applause!

And lastly the sheep, Terence and Hedley, cavorting and ....oh look! they've got their red knitted sheep shorts on back to front and their tails look like little red willies! how naughty and yet... how hilarious!

Uproarious laughter, and thunderous clapping!

You could say that the play's a success.